Lutheran Books for Missionaries Around the World Grant Devotion

God is using the Lutheran Heritage Foundation to open the eyes and hearts of new Christians around the world.They provide Lutheran missionaries with books and materials translated into the languages of the people they serve.What a thrill it is to read about the good news in one’s own heart language!

Teach me knowledge and good judgement, for I believe in your commands. (Psalm 119:66)

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has placed more than 120 missionary families in countries all around the world and dozens more missionaries are called by our LCMS districts to serve immigrant populations here in the United Sates.One of the big hurdles many missionaries face is a lack of teaching materials.

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. (Psalm 119:67)

Books like Luther’s Small Catechism are especially important in regions where Christian mission work is just getting started.Rev. David Baker, a missionary in Kazakhstan to the Kazakh people explains, “The Kazakh people are over 99 percent Muslim, with only about 2/10 of a percent Christian representation.Overwhelming anti-Christian propaganda, religious persecution, and harassment are regular obstacles.”Since almost all the Kazakh Christians have come to faith and been baptized within the last 4–5 years, he proclaims, “What a wonderful blessing to have Luther’s Small Catechism to use in the faith formation of this growing young church!”

Strengthen me according to your word. (Psalm 119:28)

Amazingly, it costs only about $5 to translate and publish a Small Catechism or colorful Bible storybook for children.Praise the Lord, our $5000 mission grant for Lutheran Books for Missionaries Around the World will provide over 1,000 books to strengthen the faith of new believers.

Almighty Father, we thank you for the gift of Christian books, devotions and material in our own language.We confess we have often taken this precious gift for granted.We lift up the work of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation to you.Help us to quickly gather our Mites so more people can read about their Savior in their own language.We ask this in the name of your Son and our Savior.Amen.